There are so many verses in the book of Proverbs that remind me of my mom. My mother loved keeping her home beautiful. Although not rich in worldly wealth, she found ways to decorate and enhance the rooms of our family dwelling, reflecting her bent toward the Victorian style. Mom loved gold embellishments and floral wallpaper. Her favourite pieces of furniture generally were purchased from the Bombay Company, a store whose original passion was to connect art and elegance with superior craftsmanship. Those words so aptly describe the house I was blessed to call home.
In Proverbs we see that wisdom has built her house and strengthened its support. A feast has been prepared for the guests and is ready for their arrival. The table is set, not only with all that is needed to nourish physically, but also with grace, peace, joy and love. Nothing has been overlooked in the excellency of preparation.
This too reflects my mother. The dining room table at my childhood home was always set. It wasn't for our use, but for any visitors who may stop by unannounced. Dad was constantly bringing home "strays" (the word my twin sister and I used to describe the sudden appearance of any random person Dad would have met during his day and invited home with him to enjoy dinner with us). It never seemed to bother mom. Her table was set.
I can't say we always had a "great banquet", (mom's least favourite role was meal preparation, and hence it has not been on my list of top 10 duties either), but we never left the table hungry. Whether it was "some kind of meat" (my sister and I honestly couldn't always identify it), or a meal dad picked up on his way home from work, our tummies were always full.
Mom lived prepared. She was ready at a moment's notice to host others whether for a meal or a cup of tea and sweets. A tray with cups and saucers, sugar dish, creamer, cookies or squares on a china serving plate under plastic wrap were waiting to be offered to any guests who arrived. Like the ten virgins with the lamps described in the book of Matthew, mom would never run out of "oil" because she lived secure, knowing that sudden changes or interruptions, delays or surprises wouldn't cause her any alarm. She was prepared to make a future outcome possible.
I know that this wisdom in Proverbs is pointing towards the insight that encourages us to be prepared for the great supper in the kingdom of heaven by responding to Christ's invitation of salvation, but I want to apply this practically to our day to day lives right now. Hospitality and opening our homes to others is becoming more and more rare, yet throughout scripture we see how vital the ministry of welcoming others can be.
In her excellent Bible study, "A Table in the Wilderness", Lina Abujamra, highlights the importance of tables traced throughout God's Word, emphasizing how the Lord uses shared fellowship at gatherings over meals to provide rescue, mercy, belonging, satisfaction, filling, remembrance and celebration. The offering of food is really a means to an end. Tables welcome us not only into the lives of others, but into the presence of God.
When you invite someone into your home, you invite them into your life. God has divinely ordained the setting of tables as blessings in a world that is too often lonely and isolated. A home that is a hub of intentional hospitality has the ability to make all who enter feel accepted from the moment their foot steps over the threshold. It's the authentic, humble, ordinary offering of cookies and coffee, hot dogs and burgers that shares Jesus in a way that challenges the degrees of the most learned.
Is your table set?
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